The air inside the car was suffocating.

Tension thickened like a storm about to break, drowning her in helplessness.

Her small, trembling hands joined together as she sobbed.

“Please.”

He didn’t look at her. Didn’t even acknowledge her.

Like she was nothing.

"Please don’t do this,” her voice cracked, raw with desperation.

Still, he remained silent. His expression unreadable, his entire presence radiating power—an unmovable force.

“R-Raghav…”

His neck turned sharply toward her, his intense gaze locking onto hers in an instant.

The way she said his name—her voice unsteady, breathless, broken.

His jaw clenched.

Fuck

His cock twitched painfully in his pants, his body going rigid with restraint.

A humorless laugh escaped him as he turned away, rubbing his forehead.

Desperate times, huh?

The last time she had been desperate, she offered him her body just to escape.

And now?

Now she was calling his name, her voice like a siren’s whisper—sweet, delicate, intoxicating.

It angered him. Amusedhim. Turned him on.

But he didn’t react.

Didn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing how much power she unknowingly held over him. That too for a mere name.

Because if he let her see just how much she affected him…

She would do it again. And he might fall for it.

“I-I did everything you asked for two weeks, Raghav,” she stammered, gripping his sleeve like a lifeline. His hands clenched at his name coming out her lips again.

“Take pity on me. Please, don’t torment me anymore. Don’t force me into this marriage. I beg you please.”

He said nothing.

He simply stared at her small hand clinging onto him.

She is touching him.

Willingly.

A dark smirk ghosted over his lips.

He lifted his lashes, his piercing eyes scanning her face—tear-streaked, flushed, so damn beautiful even in her misery.

Her trembling lips were a dark shade of pink, her tear-filled eyes gleamed like priceless jewels, and that little nosepin glinted under the dim car light, mocking him.

He swallowed.

God help him.

She is a fucking seduction just by existing.

She is his.

And whether it was her smiles or her sobs, her obedience or her rebellion—she belonged to him.

He inhaled deeply, his grip on his knee tightening.

“I’m not even listening to you, sweetheart.” His voice was smooth, slow. Cruel. “The decision is fixed.”

Her lips trembled, her eyes spilling over with fresh tears.

Still, she fought.

Her small hands reached for his, her fingers curling around his large, rough palms.

“Please.”

His brows shot up.

Oh?

A slow, wicked grin stretched across his face.

“Look at that.”

His voice dripped with amusement as he studied their joined hands.

“The woman who once avoided my touch at any cost… is willingly touching me now."

His gaze snapped to hers, sharp and mocking. For God’s sake, she took my hand in hers.

She frantically shook her head, pleading.

“Please, Raghav. Anything but this. Not this. I beg you.”

His fingers curled around hers, trapping her hands in his as he tilted his head.

Anything?”

His voice was softer now—deceptively gentle.

Her breath hitched.

That tone.

She knew that tone.

It wasn’t kindness.

It was a warning.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Alright, sweetheart. Let’s test that.”

He leaned in, his breath fanning against her face.

“Would you rather be my mistress forever? Carry my children around like my personal breeding doll instead?”

Her body turned to stone.

He lifted a brow, watching her face drain of all color.

“This is a serious proposal.”His voice was smooth, patient—like a predator toying with its prey.

His lips brushed the shell of her ear. “Forget about your father. He’ll be safe. You, on the other hand…

His fingers traced the inside of her wrist, slow and intimate.

“…will stay in my bed. Always.”**

Her breath came out in sharp, panicked gasps.

“No,” she whispered, shaking her head violently.

His lips twitched. “No?”

His thumb brushed over her pulse point, feeling the erratic rhythm of her heartbeat.

“Either be my wife or be my mistress.”

He lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him.

“Tell me. Would you rather be my mistress? Just like before?”

He smirked at the way her body shuddered.

“Living together, sleeping together. No contracts. No promises.”

His grip tightened. “No way out.”

She choked on a sob, shaking her head harder.

“No.”

He sighed, as if disappointed. “Pity.”

And then, in one swift movement, he cupped her face.

His large, calloused hands cradled her so gently, it was almost deceptive.

His thumbs brushed over her damp cheeks, wiping away the tears. His demeanor softened—not in mercy, but in manipulation.

And she knew it.

Yet she was helpless to stop it.

His voice dipped lower, silk wrapped around steel.

"That's what I'm saying, baby," Raghav exasperated, his tone deceptively casual as if they were discussing something mundane. "Live or die—you’re going to be with me forever."

His fingers traced slow circles on the steering wheel, his gaze unreadable.

"You can either be my mistress or my wife." His eyes gleamed with dark amusement.

"And clearly, you don’t like the idea of being a mistress. Then why fight it, huh?"

She shook her head violently, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. "Please stop this. Please."

But he didn’t stop.

Didn’t even falter.

Instead, he leaned closer, his voice dropping into something slow and hypnotic.

"Tell me, what’s the difference?"

Her breath caught.

"Didn’t we already live like a couple before? Didn’t I already claim you like one?"

She sucked in a sharp breath, her entire body stiffening.

His smirk widened.

"And what about sex, sweetheart?"

His voice was like poison-coated honey, sinking into her skin, making her shudder.

"How many times did I touch you? How many times did I bury myself so deep inside you, making you scream my name?"

"Stop it!" she sobbed, shaking her head in humiliation.

But he wasn’t finished.

He was never finished.

"How many times a day did we do it? Two? Three?"

His fingers lightly brushed against her cheek, tracing the tear-streaked path.

"And for each time, how many rounds did we go? Five? Six?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, fresh tears spilling.

"Is it fair for us not to marry after touching each other countless times?"

His lips twitched, his voice taking a darker edge.

"Sometimes in the bed, sometimes in the bathroom, sometimes in the kitchen—"

"Please!"she screamed, her face falling into her trembling hands.

His grip was there instantly, forcing her to look up.

Her face was swollen with tears, her lips parted in choked sobs.

He pressed his forehead against hers, his fingers tightening on her jaw.

"Now say it."

She gasped softly, her eyes fluttering open to meet his unwavering gaze.

His voice was smooth, deliberate. "Choose one. Or I’ll choose for you."

Her chest heaved, her pulse thrumming wildly beneath his fingers.

"Mistress?" he dragged the word out, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"With nameless babies that no one will acknowledge?"

He smirked at the way she flinched.

"Or wife?"

His thumb stroked her wet cheek, wiping away the evidence of her pain. "With a home. Respect. Reputation."

Her lips trembled.

A war raged inside her, every fiber of her being screaming to resist—but she knew.

She knew the truth.

There was no escape.

Only surrender.

And so she whispered, her voice so fragile he almost didn’t hear it—

"Wife."

His breath hitched.

"What?" he taunted, tilting his head, as if he hadn’t heard her.

She inhaled shakily and repeated, stronger this time.

"Wife."

A slow, wicked grin stretched across his face.

"That’s my girl."

And just like that—she is his.

Forever.

Before she could react, he dragged her into his embrace, pulling her against his solid chest though she resisted.

Her body crumbled.

Her fingers clutched at his shirt as she broke down, her sobs muffled against his shoulder.

He exhaled deeply, content.

Finally.

He held her tightly, one arm wrapped securely around her waist while the other gently cradled the back of her head.

"This is the last time I’ll threaten you or make you cry, baby." His voice was a low murmur, vibrating against her ear. "Unless it's necessary."

Her sobs shuddered against him.

He smirked, pressing his lips against the crown of her head.

"Later, it’s all going to be rainbows and flowers."

His fingers slipped into her hair, stroking her gently.

l"I’ll provide you absolute bliss."

She trembled against him, her fragile body melting into his warmth.

His hand trailed down her back, drawing lazy patterns.

"And then… you’ll be a good wife, and I’ll be a good husband." His voice was soft, deceptively warm.

"A provider."

He nuzzled into her hair, inhaling her sweet scent.

"Both financially, emotionally....and physically"

His fingers slid lower, resting at the curve of her spine.

"I’ll take care of you."

His lips ghosted over her temple.

"Cherish you."

His touch trailed down, dangerously slow.

"We’ll make a home together."

Her body stiffened.

She knew what was coming.

She squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head against his chest.

"No."

But he wasn’t listening.

He was already lost in their future.

"I’ll make love to you every night."

Her breath hitched, her body freezing.

He chuckled.

His fingers brushed over the nape of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

"We’ll have a big bed." His voice dropped lower, huskier.

"And I’ll keep you there for hours."

She gasped softly, turning her face away—but there was no escape.

He smirked against her skin.

"Worshiping you."

A shudder ran through her.

"Pleasuring you until you forget your own name."

She whimpered.

And then—

"And then, we’ll have ten babies."

Silence.

Her sobs stopped.

She stiffened completely.

He bit his lip, trying to suppress a chuckle.

She snapped her head up, horror flashing in her teary eyes. "You’re insane."

He hummed, running his fingers through her hair. "Am I?"

His smirk widened.

"Or do I just know exactly what I want?"

Her lips quivered, her eyes darting away from his intense gaze.

He leaned in, brushing his nose against hers. "And half of them will look like you."

His grip on her waist tightened possessively.

"The other half, like me."

Her breathing turned ragged, panic rising in her chest.

But he only grinned, pulling her impossibly closer.

"We have a long way together"

He kissed her temple, his voice a final verdict—

"So start preparing yourself."